MTNFootball

31 July 2011

Local organisers have said they expect much better sales of tickets for the Group D clash between Nigeria and Guatemala on match day.

So far, according to officials, about 8,000 tickets have been sold for Sunday’s U20 World Cup double header match that also includes the tie involving Croatia and Saudi Arabia.

The officials expect that at least 4,000 more tickets will be snapped up on Sunday for the matches slated for the 21,000-capacity Estadio Centenario in Armenia. The ticket prices range from $10 to $30.

The organisers said the recent rains have not helped to pack the stadium full.

The rains also forced the cancellation of Group A matches in the capital city of Bogota Saturday.

The rains in Bogota delayed the arrival of the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, to Armenia.

Chairman of the NFF technical committee, Chris Green, arrived late Friday ahead of Sunday’s clash.

Flying Eagles coach John Obuh, accompanied by skipper Ramon Azeez, addressed a pre-match press conference Saturday evening. He praised Guatemala, saying they cannot be taken lightly.

When he was reminded that Nigeria as African champions are favourites in Group D, which also has Croatia and Saudi Arabia, the coach simply said: “We’re going to work to be favourites in this group, not before we have played.

“We have come from very far on a mission and by the grace of God, we will accomplish this mission.

“We have looked forward to this match. At a time it was months away, then weeks, then days and now just hours.”